Kara Tointon (born 5 August 1983) is an English actress from Essex. She has worked in television, theatre and live entertainment and is widely recognised for her long-running soap role and for winning a high-profile dance competition. She was born and raised in Essex and began to attract public attention in the mid-2000s.

Career highlights

Tointon is best known for portraying Dawn Swann on the BBC soap opera EastEnders, a role she played from 2005 to 2009. The character became central to several major storylines and established Tointon as a familiar face on British television. Her performance in the series remains one of the key credits of her early career.

In 2010 she took part in the BBC celebrity dance contest Strictly Come Dancing with professional partner Artem Chigvintsev. The pair won the series, a victory that broadened her public profile beyond acting and demonstrated her abilities in live performance and choreography-driven television.

Other work and public presence

Beyond soap opera and reality television, Tointon has appeared in a range of screen and stage projects, including guest roles, touring theatre and special appearances. She has pursued work that spans contemporary drama and lighter entertainment, reflecting a flexible professional range. Her career also includes public appearances and participation in charitable and promotional events.

Her younger sister, Hannah Tointon, is also an actress; the two have been noted in the British press as siblings working in the same industry. Kara's profile combines traditional television acting with the visibility that comes from competitive live television, a combination that has shaped subsequent offers and public recognition.

Notable facts and legacy

Kara Tointon remains a recognizable figure in UK entertainment; she is often cited as an example of a performer who has successfully moved between scripted television and high-profile live formats, maintaining a steady public presence while continuing to take on varied acting projects.